Thistle Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern

This is actually the cowl that resulted from my first attempt at creating the Thistle Wrap. I initially made the wrap a little too long to achieve the neck line I wanted, so I decided to create a cowl out of it instead.

This pattern is for a basic cowl crocheted in linen stitch (one of my all-time favourite stitches!). I’ve made it in variegated 20% wool 80% acrylic yarn. I’ve used two similar colours (purple and blue) so it doesn’t exactly have a stripey effect, but it just adds depth.

I’d call this a beginner pattern as it just uses a combination of chains and single crochet. It is made in chunky yarn and a 7mm hook so it works up very quickly.

The pattern below makes a cowl that is 120cm long x 20cm wide. But you can easily add width or length to the pattern by adding stitches and rows. Colours alternate every row, but don’t worry! The fringe means you don’t have to weave in any pesky ends. If you choose not to have a fringe for your scarf… have fun weaving those ends in 😉

I hope you enjoy the pattern, and let me know if you have any questions!

Materials

80g chunky/bulky variegated yarn in colour 1 {C1}

80g chunky/bulky variegated yarn in colour 2 {C2}

7mm (size 2) crochet hook

1x button (it will be decorative only)

Beads (optional fringe decoration)

Yarn needle

Blocking mats and pins (optional)

Yarn suggestions

I can’t give you the exact yarn I used because I bought it at a clearance sale and I have totally forgotten the brand, colour etc etc. BUT, I have found some very good alternatives:

Note: I’m not sponsored in any way to post these links, I just thought it might be helpful!

Abbreviations

CH: Chain

SC: Single Crochet

SL ST: Slip-Stich

ST: Stitch

Instructions

{C1} CH 146

Row 1: SC in second CH from hook and all the way across. Cut yarn leaving a tail (for fringe) and tie off end with a SL ST (145)

Row 2: Change to {C2} using standing SC. *CH 1, skip the next ST, SC in the next ST.* Repeat from *-* 72 times until you reach the end of the row. Make sure you finish on a SC. Cut yarn leaving a tail (for fringe) and tie off end with a SL ST (72 CH 1, 73 SC)

Row 3: Change to {C1} using standing SC. *CH 1, skip the next ST, SC in the next ST.* Repeat from *-* 72 times until you reach the end of the row. Make sure you finish on a SC. Cut yarn leaving a tail (for fringe) and tie off end with a SL ST (72 CH 1, 73 SC)

Rows 4-24: Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have reached your desired width (I did 24 rows for a 20cm wide cowl)

Finishing

Wet-block your cowl by soaking it in lukewarm water, then gently squeezing as much water out of the piece as possible (don’t wring or rub the item though, this will cause it to distort and felt).

Lay it out on a blocking mat (if you don’t have one, lay it out on a yoga/exercise mat or a towel).

Use your pins to pin the cowl so the edges are straight and even. Then use your fingers to comb out the fringe so it’s straight.

Cut the fringe to your desired length (I cut mine to 8cm).

Leave the cowl to dry fully. This could take a few days depending on how dense your yarn is.

Once your cowl is completely dry, it’s time to knot and add beads to the fringe (if you want to). Take two ends of the fringe and thread a bead through them. Knot the ends of the fringe as close to the bead (and the side of the wrap) as possible. Repeat for all ends.

To sew your cowl together, overlap the two ends so they form a “V” shape (see diagram). Sew along the bottom left-arm of the “V”, then turn over and sew along the top left (seen in the diagram as a yellow dotted line). Attach your button in the centre of the “V” (because I used a toggle instead of a button, I place it on a angle parallel to the sewn ends of the “V” – see this as a grey rectangle in the diagram)

Diagram

How To Wear

Here are some of the ways I’ve worn my cowl:

Hanging looseAround your shouldersDoubled-up and extra warm!

And there we have it. I hope you enjoy making this cowl. If you do, I would love it if you shared some photos! Use the hashtag #thistlecowl and tag me on Instagram @creating_time so I can see it and share 🙂

Thanks Tami! You’re so very kind 🙂 sometimes I wonder if I should post these easy patterns, but then I remember when I was just starting out and how nice it was to find an easy pattern that I could finish and feel good about 😊So I figure if it helps anyone get hooked on crochet, it’s a good thing! 😂

Definitely keep posting the patterns! Even though they may seem easy to you and I, it would be perfect for beginners. Or like a few of the things I’ve made lately were inspired by something that I thought looked tricky but then when I read the pattern or watched a video I learned that the technique or stitches were things I already knew! I think it’s awesome if your “easy” patterns can inspire more people to pick up a hook! 😀